Do you ever wonder about your child’s future? Have you spent any amount of time wondering what you can provide in order to make sure they have as many possibilities in their future as they can? If so, you might want to educate yourself on early childhood education facts.
As you read, we’ll break it down to some facts that can influence learning in early childhood. But we can start from a basic perspective: it’s fundamental to give pre-school children the opportunity to learn in a nurturing, supportive environment that promotes curiosity.
This connection created early on is critical to their mental, social, and emotional development.
Most interesting early childhood education facts
Experiences before birth
While children are growing up, they’re rapidly learning and evolving. They’re slowly and quietly creating repertoire that will eventually show.
There are many aspects that can influence a child’s development, and it can start from the womb – such as nutrition, exposure to toxins and other dangerous substances, and events faced by the mother that can lead to trauma or stress.
Just as the bad things can leave their mark, the same is true for the positive references around the child.
If you want to create an environment in which children are encouraged to learn and develop, offer the proper stimuli according to their development stage.
Non-stop connections
Studies show that more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second in our early years.
(This is why you’ve probably heard that almost 90% of a child’s brain is developed by the time they reach 5 years old!)
From the moment children are born, different functions are being created and formed on the go. This incredibly accelerated rhythm slowly starts to shift by the time they’re 5 or 6.
Naturally, this doesn’t mean that our brain won’t continue to develop and adapt – this is something intrinsic. But it is true that “training” your brain to receive, interpret, respond and adapt to different stimuli is something called neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity and its benefits are greater if this process starts only on and continues to happen throughout our lives.
Kids learn more than words and numbers
Learning the basics (such as the ABC or counting numbers) is elementary for children in preschool!
But it’s also true that children need to create social repertory while they’re growing up. It’s fundamental to provide them with lots of healthy social interaction – which happens in school, in your own neighborhood, your family circle and so on.
Adult relationships can be shaped during childhood
Emotional intelligence can be affected by the social dynamics where the child lives. Learning how to listen to “no”, dealing with frustration, not understanding physical violence as a resource to deal with frustration: this can all be built on from childhood.
Work, emotional and academic lives
Youngsters who participate in a stimulating, attentive learning environment at an early age are more likely to stay in school, go to college, and land a high-paying job in which they are successful later in life.
Findings from The Abecedarian Project (one of the most popular and cited research about early children development) show just how much of an impact early education can have on our Little Ones.
Participants of the study were monitored throughout the years so that the consequences of early education could be assessed.
The main findings claimed by researchers were:
- Teens enrolled on the Abecedarian program had a higher IQ score compared to children from the control group;
- During elementary and secondary school, children from the Abecedarian program showed better achievements in subjects like Math and Reading;
- Participants of the Abecedarian project were more likely to either be in school, having a job, or both as they grew up;
- In terms of behavioral aspects, children enrolled in the program were less likely to use drugs, being teen parents, suffer from depressive symptoms.
Mom and Dad can benefit too
Here’s an interesting fact about early childhood education: parents of children in top-quality preschool and daycare programs tend to be more productive themselves!
You might also observe that they have less possibility of absenteeism, while having a greater focus on their own careers, and an improved overall work performance.
This means that early childhood education is not only beneficial to children, but also to their parents. When they rely on this support system provided by school, they end up having more time for themselves.
These extra hours can be dedicated to their own education, managing the house, or simply enjoying a little Me time!
How can parents influence early childhood education?
Encouraging kids to explore their curiosity (as long as they’re safe, of course!), use their physical senses and experience social contact are fundamental aspects that help a baby’s brain to develop.
Remember: it’s the parents’ responsibility to provide social, environmental and health conditions so that the child can develop themselves.
Expanding conditions of a successful early childhood education
Educational facilities can serve as an additional support system. This is true for parents that are concerned in making sure their children have access to the best options that will have a long-lasting effect in their lives.
This means that their emotional and educational foundations are built not only at home, with parents and family, but also during their time in preschool.
Amazing Explorers Academy is a new kind of daycare and preschool. More than simple classrooms, we offer children the opportunity to learn about topics like Science, Math, Technology, Engineering and even Arts in an environment that stimulates their intellect.
As a consequence, children experience an intense intellectual development during their formative years.
At The Amazing Explorers Academy, we offer children an opportunity to learn and grow. But we also help prepare them and their parents for the challenges they will face in the future.
How do you feel after learning about early childhood education facts? Can you see a connection between an early investment in a child’s development and important life-long effects?
If all this information resonated with you, don’t hold back on investing in a brighter future for your child. All Amazing Explorers Academy units are open for visit! Get to know our programs and book a tour of the nearest school!
